Hello,

my name is Chris and I'm new to this forum. I'm having a coolant warning light issue with my Skoda Fabia 1.9 SDI 2002. I've tried my best to scour the net for answers and/or possible solutions but none seem to exist although I could have missed it.

So the coolant temperature warning light switches on when the engine is cold, the temperature guage itself continues to work (so the coolant temp sensor seems ok). This is probably not news to anyone here however, unusually (well I've not read this happening to anyone else) the fuel gauge drops. This is a pain in the arse having to guess when I had to fill up. I recently replaced the coolant expansion tank the issue went away for a day if that. For most people this seemed to work annoyingly for me it didn't.

The engine itself is fine no unusual leaks, coolant level is fine. I get really good mileage. The problem started intermittently and gradually got worse over the years (its now a surprise to know how much fuel I have). I never got it sorted straight away because I was a skint student and the temperature gauge operated normally (well appears to).

Any help is very much appreciated.

Regards,

Chris

Welcome to the forum.

Sorry, but i have read your post and am still confused.

Are you saying your Coolant System (Antifreeze,Summer, Coolant, Radiiator, Heater etc) is all OK,

& your Fuel Gauge is Faulty??

If your 'Coolant System' is sealed & pressurised and running the correct Strength/Ratio of Antifreeze, i hope that is not loosing fluid anytime and just gets left at its correct level!

If your Fuel Gauge is faulty, check the Earths, & the fuel tank sender,

or keep a full tank and zero your mileometer untill you get it fixed, & count down your mileage and fill up at whatever.

Or am i missing something?

Why do you think the Coolant & Fuel gauge reading are linked?

george

Hi George,

Thanks for your reply.

Sorry I didn't explain myself properly I'm having the same issues as in these posts but I've tried sorting it myself and yet to be successful.

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/211913-coolant-warning-light/

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/149296-engine-coolant-warning-light/

Why do you think the Coolant & Fuel gauge reading are linked?

george

When the warning light starts to flash and beep, a few seconds later the fuel gauge drops to read nothing with no low fuel warning this happens every time.

I can't find any evidence of coolant leaks, I had to drain a bit of the coolant out to replace the expansion tank and it was clear i.e not like mayonnaise. I have also serviced my Fab and the oil looked fine too.

Unless I try a full coolant flush with cleaner in case theres any crude in the rad.

Also could it be the actual sensor plug could that be dirty?

Regards,

Chris

p.s. This has been going on for years, I didn't sort it sooner is because firstly I'm lazy and 2 with no change in coolant levels I assumed it was a sensor which could wait.

or keep a full tank and zero your mileometer untill you get it fixed, & count down your mileage and fill up at whatever.

and yes this has been the story of my life for ages.

Are you running the 'correct Coolant' at the 'correct ratio'.

Fresh stuff filled,

or is it at least checked recently to see that it is at a good strength to provide the correct running temperature when up to temp..

(Antifreeze which is also your Summer Coolant & your rust inhibitor)

Is the Thermostat fitted a good one, the correct one. (do not trust the numbers on the box, & especially never if bought at Halfords)

Or is it worth changing for a new one?

Closed untill engine up to temp on start up & then fully opening & allowing the Coolant to flow.

All bleed properly, even if it is supposed to be a Self Bleed.

(ie no air lock near the thermostat.)

george

Edited 14 August, 201213 yr by sk4gw

i haven't really touched the coolant (apart from draining some and topping up which I did with coolant/anti-freeze the (red stuff)). So I would assume that it is at near enough the correct ratio

I should have also mentioned that this happens when the engine is cold.

So I will drain and redo the coolant to remove that variable if that solves the problem then happy days.

With regard to the thermostat you mentioned George, coolant appears to flow constantly around the system feeding from the top of the coolant expansion tank from when the engines first starts. From what your saying coolant should not be flowing around a cold engine.

Thanks for your help,

I'll have to see how this ones goes.

Chris

Best look and see that there is a thermostat fitted & someone has not removed it.

Its function is to allow the engine to reach a running temperature with the fluid running around the engine block.

Then it opens and allows the coolant to start around the system,

to the top pipe of the radiator first.

The expansion tank should not have a flow, it is an expansion tank.

Check the Thermostat, the Pressure Cap & the overflow/pipe to the expansion tank.

Dont overfill & dont open the sealed system.

Allow the expansion tank to build pressure when the system is hot,

& to cool down and draw coolant back into the system.

If you are not sure yourself get someone to assist.

Air in the system becomes hot air, ie Steam.

george